Spring-controlled latch



Nov. 20, 1928.

T. o. SCHRADER SPRING CONTROLLED LATCH Filed April 12, 1928 Z 3 m r j Mm 3 .3 i l l W9, h 4 y w. ME 1%, 2 z z Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

THOMAS O. SCHRADER, OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVAIIIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE DENT HARDWARE 00., OF FULLERTON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VAN IA.

SPRING-CONTROLLED LATCH.

Application filed April 12, 1928. Serial No. 269,316.

This invention, generally stated, relates to a spring controlled latch lever or door fastener for use upon refrigerator doors, although applicable to other doors in order to maintain the door Closed and held in such position. a

The invention more particularly, however, relates to what may be termed a spring controlled latch lever which is pivotally connected to the door so as to swing in a plane parallel to the door whereby said door may be opened when the spring controlled latch or lever is disengaged from its keeper upon the door jamb, and said door when slammed will automatically close and latch or fasten without requiring attention on the part of the operator.

The leading objectof the present invention is to provide a spring controlled latch of the character under consideration, constructed of few parts of durable and efficient construc tion, and which because of its spring controlled parts has a quick responsive action vhen the door is slammed shut, the entire latching or fastening operation being auto matic, and the spring actuating the latch being practically concealed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spring controlled latch of the character stated the parts of'which are arranged and connected for accomplishing the purposes set forth in the leading object.

The invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described and finally claimed. I

For the-purpose of illustrating my inven tion I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me,since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in which:

Figure 1, represents a front elevation of a spring controlled latch embodying my inven tion shown in closed position, the door and amb being shown broken away.

Figure 2, represents an endview of Figure 1, looking from the left hand thereof, the jamb being in section. a

Figure 3, represents view in front elevation partly sectioned on the line 3-.3, Figure 2, illustrating the assembly of the spring; the

nose, and handle of the latch being shown dotted.

Figure 4:, represents a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1. V s

Figure 5, represents a side elevation of the inner surface of the latch lever inverted from the portion seen in Figure l.

Referring to the drawings, and more especially to Figures 1 and 3, 1 designates a door which may be a refrigerator door or any other door. 2 designates the. door jamb. Secured to the door 1, as by means of screws 3, is a supporting plate 1, which has projecting therefrom, and preferably formed in-' tegral therewith a relatively L-shaped member 5, best seen in Figure 4. Fixed between the plate 4 and the outer end of the L-shaped member 5 is a pivot pin 6 and pivotally mounted thereupon is the spring controlled lover or latch member, having a nose 7 ex-' tending from one end of the pivot pin 6, the longitudinal axis of which is at right angles to the horizontal axis of the pivot pin 6. EX- tending inan opposite direction from the pivot pin 6 is a handle 8, the longitudinal axis of which parallels the longitudinal axis of the nose 7 but is in a different plane, being in a plane above the longitudinal aXis of the nose. The nose 7 and handle 8 are integral being connected by an intermediate hub or annular portion 9, best seen in Fig. 3, which is provided with an outer annular flanged portion 10, forming a spring chamber. Coiled around the hub 9 connecting the nose 7 and handle 8 is a spring 11, one end 12 of which is deflected outwardly so as to underlie the bottom edge 16 of the flanged part or outer wall 10 of the hub member 9. The opposite end 17 of the coiled spring is held in an aperture 18 in the member 5 of the plate 4. By the arrangement of parts just described, a very quick acting, simple, and efiicient latch lever'is provided. The nose 7 cooperates with a keeper 14 carried on a post 19 supported by a plate 15, secured to the door jamb 2, the bottom edge 20 of the keeper being inclined downwardly and inwardly as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. The nose 7 is provided with an inner inclined or slightly rounded cam face or wall 21 which contacts with the inclined bottom edge .20 of the keeper when the door is slammed shut. The outer wall of the nose 7 is also provided with an inclined or rounded cam face 222% seen in Figure 2, which coacts with the outwardly inclined inner wall 523 of the keeper to hold the door 1, tightly shut.

The top edge 24 of the portion 5 as seen in Figures 1 and 3 serves as a stop or abutment to limit the downward movement of the handle 8, it being understood that the tension of the spring 11 by reason of the position of its terminals 12 and 17 as seen in Figure 3 is such as to cause the handle portion 8 to tend to always stand horizontal and normally always to be seated against the edge 24 above referred to. The overhanging flange or wall 10 serves to efiectively conceal the major portion of the spring 11 as will be understood from Figures 1 and 4. The operation is as follows: The handle 8 and its adjuncts are alwa s normally retained in a horizontal position or substantially as seen in Figures 1 and 3. When the door is slammed shut, the inner wall 21 of the nose 7 contacts with the inclined bottom edge 20 of the keeper, the nose descends and the handle portion 8 rocks upwardly on its pivot 6. As the door continues to close, the nose 7 passes under the lower edge of the keeper and by reason of the tension of the spring 11 it is caused instantly to assume the position seen in Figure 2, wherein the 'cam face 22 contacting with the inclined wall 23 of the keeper effects a positive and instantaneous latching or fastening of the parts, which appear as seen in Figure 2.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a spring controlled latch, a supporting plate arranged for attachment to a door, a latch lever plvotally mounted, thereon to swing in a'plane parallel to the door, oneend of which lever extends forwardly from the pivot point to form a keeper engaging nose while the opposite end of said lever is prolonged to form a handle, the longitudinal axes of said nose and handle being arranged in parallelism, a hub formed on said lever, an overhanging flange for said hub forming a spring chamber, a spring coiled around said hub within said overhanging flange, one end of said spring abutting against the end of said flange and the opposite end of said spring being fixedly secured to an extension of said supporting plate, a portion of the latter serving as an abutmentfor the bottomof said handle to retain the latter normally always in a horizontal position, and a keeper having its bottom edge inclined inwardly and downwardly for coaction with said nose.

2. In a spring controlled latch, a supporting plate adapted to be attached to a door, and carrying an L-shaped member, a pivot pin passing through said'plate and a portion of said L-shaped member, a latch lever pivotally mounted on said pin to swing in a plane parallel to the door, and comprising a keeper engaging nose and a handle extending in different horizontal planes, a hub on said lever intermediate said nose and handle portions, through which said pin passes, an overhanging flange on said lever forming a spring chamber, a spring coiled about said hub within said spring chamber and having one end abutting against the edge of said overhanging flange and the. other against said L-shaped member, an abutment on the upper edge of the latter for retaining said lever normally in a horizontal position, and a keeper having its bottom edge inclined downwardly and inwardly for engagement with said nose, the outer and inner walls of the latter having cam surfaces thereon.

THOMAS o. SCHRADER. 

